BROOKLYN'S GARDEN 

VIEWS OF PICTURESQUE FLATBUSH 






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JLATBUSH, properly the 19th Ward of the Borough ol Brooklyn has I, 

The old I Hitch farms, that have been so can-fully tilled for over 250 years, have at la.sl given way to beautiful 
gardens and level lawns surrounding palatial homes, the abu' 1 Brooklyn's won 

interest we trace the links that bind the past and the present, leading forward to even better and greater 
things. Flatbush was endowed with virgin forests, fertile plains, a healthful climate and the best water to be 
found anywhere. To these, man has added nearness to the greatest city this side the sea, a perfect sewerage, 
all conveniences of gas and electricity, together with transportation, parks and schools unexcelled. 
The old Dutch Boers, who founded a community here in 1634 on the old Indian trail which led from New 
Amersfoort, later Flatlands, over the hills to a place not far from the present foot of Joralemon street, could not have 
realized the importance of the undertaking, that some day that trail would become the imports: V venue of 

our time. Asphalted, lighted by electricity, traversed by trolley, and a part of it at least by subway, and lined with 
three and four story buildings. This little settlement contains to-day more churches than all America. North and South 
combined, contained at that time. You can go among her inhabitants and you will find descendants of these same men, 
who lived here 250 years ago, occupying places of prominence in the community. 

Lying adjacent to Prospect Park the people of Flatbush have been benefited by one of the finest parks in the 
world. The educational facilities too are unsurpassed. Erasmus Hall, one of the best High Schools in Greater New 
York, was formerly a private academy organized in 1787, and has always kept to a high standard. To-day a beautiful 
building in Gothic architecture partly houses the school, but the old building is still retained to help accommodate the 
1600 young men and women who attend. A fine Public Library occupies a beautiful building erected on Linden avenue, 
just to the rear of the Flatbush Trust Company's magnificent home. Their grounds join and are kept similar to a park. 
This building was erected through the generosity of Mr. Andrew Carnegie and the library was originally collected In- 
some of Flatbush's patriotic women. 

Two institutes of finance are required to attend to the banking business of the community. The Flatbush Trust 
Company is the older and its assets reach nearly four million. Mr. John Z Lott is the able and active President of this 
Company. The Prospect Park Bank is several years younger and has also had a remarkable growth under the 
Presidency of William E. Harmon, a noted real estate operator. 

The club life of Flatbush has always taken a social course rather than a literary trend, although societies for this 
purpose abound. The Knickerbocker Field Club has a fine house, an active organization and a talented dram.. 
The Midwood Club preserves for posterity in a pleasant social way the grand old Clark The Cortelyou 

Club, the youngest of the three, owns its own house on Bedford avenue. The old Association of Volunteer Firemen is 
now preserved in a social organization on Church avenue. These with many more of less promini nee keep up a series 
of social events during the winter. In fact, there is some social event every night, and those to whom this means much 
feel that there is more in Flatbush for the average man than in the great cities. 

Civic Associations keep up the fight for improvements and Flatbush owes much to their good work. This is 
specially true of the Flatbush Taxpayers' Association, one of the largest associations in the city. Other associations 
have done good work but this one is the leader of all. 

Flatbush real estate has been the cause of much prosperity. A wonderful advance in values has taken place and 
dealers claim that the future advances will be greater than those that have occurred in the past. This is no doubt true, 
for in time and distance Flatbush land is held far below land on Manhattan Island. The day is fast approaching when 
Flatbush will be not only the geographical center of Kings County, but the center of population as well. The real estate 
valuation of Flatbush has swelled from $368,657 in 1817 to $45,300,390 in 1906. It has since increased at enormous 
strides every year. One farm sold some eight or nine years ago for the total valuation of 1S17. 

Flatbush has sent her sons to occupy positions in all branches of public life and they have been an honor to her. 
They have stood the test, and having stood th<- test. Flatbush has fittingly rewarded them. 



CHARLES ANDREW DITMAS 

Brooklyn - New Vohh 



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OLD LEFFERTS 




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